Fluidic flushing mechanism

ABSTRACT

A valve mechanism of the type used to flush toilets is provided with a timing device which automatically stops the water flow after a predetermined quantity of water has passed through the valve mechanism. The timing is achieved by filling a receptor with water to a predetermined height. The filling rate for the receptor is directly related to the rate of flow through the system but is not adversely dependent upon the water pressure in the system. At the predetermined time, the fluidic switch responds and causes the valve to close.

United States Patent Fichter 1 1 Feb. 6, 1973 I 1 FLUIDIC FLUSHING MECHANISM 3,302,935 2/1967 York, Jr. ..137 s1.5 x [76] Inventor: Barry S. Fichter, 526 Front Street, 3386'709 6/1968 ""137/815 X Duneuen NJ 088l2 3,421,173 1/1969 ....l37/8l.5X 3,477,699 11/1969 Drayer ..l37/81.5 X [22] Filed: Aug. 21, 1970 I Primary ExaminerSamue1 Scott [21] Appl' 65879 Att0rneySheldon Hv Parker, Tennes l. Erstad and Robert G. Crooks [52] US. Cl ..137/8l.5, 251/15 [51] Int. Cl. ..Fl5c 3/04 [57] ABSTRACT F 1d f v [58] I8 0 Search 137/81 251/15 A valve mechanism of the type used to flush toilets 1s [56] References Cited provided with a timing device which automatically stops the water flow after a predetermined quantity of UNITED STATES PATENTS water has passed through the valve mechanism. The 3,511,576 5/1970 Herbstritt et al. "137/815 x tlm'ng F by finmg a f water to a 3 603 336 9/1971 Fichter at al 137/81 5 predetermmed he1ght. The fillmg rate for the receptor 3:6l0:266 10/1971 Rudle is directly related to the rate of flow through the 1300 0 4 93 Dobrick 2 X system but is not adversely dependent upon the water 2,204,191 6/1940 Sloan et all .....251/15 X pressure in the system. At the predetermined time, the 2,438,360 3/1948 Delany ..25 l/l5 X fluidic switch responds and causes the valve to close. 2,729,227 1/1956 Hcarn ..251/15 X 3,277,914 10/1966 Manion ..137/81.5 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures 14 i I 36 I 1 l8 I t if 12 3 o PAIENTEDFEB sums I 3,714,954

sum 20F 2 FLUIDIC FLUSHING MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION in the valve thus closing the valve. However, the small orifice is prone to clogging in which case the valve fails to close.

Another problem which is typically encountered is that the valves are responsive to the passage of time rather than the passage of water. Thus, the fluid pressure variation in the system will result in corresponding changes in the quantity of water which passes through the valve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has now been found that a self closing valve can be designed to respond to the flow through the valve of a predetermined quantity of water by automatically closing the valve.

The self closing valve mechanism includes a fluidic switching means, having an inlet means, a control conduit, a valve chamber, and. a diaphragm chamber. A conduit provides communication between the diaphragm chamber and a region in said valve chamber. A pilot valve serves as means associated with the diaphragm chamber for releasing the pressure within the diaphragm chamber. A timer device communicates at one end with an outlet conduit and at another end with the control conduit of the fluidic switching means. Valve means for stopping the flow between the inlet means of the fluidic switching means and the outlet conduit is provided between the inlet means and the outlet conduit. The fluid issuing from said inlet into said fluidic chamber is directed away from saidregion of the fluidic valve chamber until the timer means fills with a predetermined quantity of fluid and closes the control conduit. At this point, fluid flow from said inlet becomes directed toward said region and fluid flows to said diaphragm chamber and causes the valve means to close off fluid flow to the outlet conduit means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be fully understood as the description of the invention proceeds, particularly when taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the several drawings and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a valve mechanism in accordance with the present invention, said mechanism being in the Off position;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the valve mechanism of FIG. 1, with the valve shown in the start position;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the valve mechanism of FIG. 1, with the valve shown in the full flow position; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the valve of FIG. 1, in the stop position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The refill mechanism of FIG. 1 is actuated by depressing the rod or plunger 10 which moves the pilot valve 12 off the valve seat 14. The plunger 10 is shown passing through the wall of the discharge outlet conduit 16 and through an escutcheon 19. The escutcheon 19 which is provided for decorative purposes, is provided with at least one opening 21 which is provided for decorative purposes, is provided with at least one opening 21 which provides for free access of air to the region within the escutcheon. The plunger 10 is provided with conventional means for both permitting movement of the plunger and preventing leakage past the plunger. Water, or any other fluid then enters inlet 18 and passes through the inlet nozzle 20 of a fluidic switch and through conduit 24 to the pressurizable diaphragm operator chamber 26. The fluid pressure on the upper surface of the diaphragm 28 and the upper surface 30, of the pilot valve 12, forces the diaphragm valve 32 and the pilot valve 12 toward the valve seat 14 and prevents fluid from entering the outlet conduit 16. A portion of the supply fluid enters the control conduit adjacent nozzle 20 and biases the ball check valve 39 closed against its seat as shown in FIG. 1. Valve 39 thus prevents leftward fluid flow through conduit 34.

As seen in FIG. 2, the plunger 10 is moved causing the pilot valve 12 to move off the valve seat 14, thereby starting the flow of fluid in the outlet conduit 16 and the inlet conduit 18. Plunger 10' andvalve 12 form a means for depressurizing chamber 26.

The fluid pressure of the water on the lower surface of the diaphragm now unseats the diaphragm valve 32, as shown in FIG. 3. This state of fluid flow maintains the diaphragm valve in the open position; the nozzle flow also maintains a suction force on ball 38 for drawing it away from its seat to an open condition, shown in FIG. 4. The flow of fluid through inlet 18 to the outlet 16 continues until the static pressure head in tube 16 is able to move sufficient liquid through tube 42 such that the fluid level in the timer receptacle 36 reaches the open end of the vent tube or control conduit 34. This tube or conduit can be a flexible conduit with means to fix it at any desired height or position in the timer receptacle 36 or it can be a rigid member which is permanently positioned at the desired height in the receptacle.

The air can no longer enter the left end of control conduit 34, and the fluid flowing through the inlet nozzle 20 deflects from its flow along the valve chamber wall 38 and switches towards and through the conduit 24 which leads to the diaphragm operator chamber 26. Mechanisms 42, 36, 34 and 39 form a flipping means for nozzle 20.

Since there is now a fluid pressure on the diaphragm upper surface 28 which is greater than the force on the lower diaphragm surface 28A, the diaphragm valve 32 seats on the diaphragm valve seat 14 and the valve closes. The fluid pressure against the pilot valve 12 and the diaphragm valve 32 not only causes the valve as sembly to close but also maintains the valve assembly The filling of the timer receptacle 36 is pressure dependent, that is, the greater the fluid pressure in the system, the greater the through put rate through the system, and consequently the faster the time receptacle 36 will be filled by the static pressure tube 42. The length of time the valve is open is thus directly related to, and dependent upon the quantity of fluid flow through the discharge tube 16.

An adjustment of the timing can be provided, by providing means for adjusting the relative positioning of the open end 40 of the control conduit 34 and the timer receptacle 36. The deeper the open end 40 of the control conduit 34 extends into the timer receptacle 36, the more rapid will be the automatic stopping of the fluid flow through the system. Similarly, timing control can be achieved by other means, such as providing adjustment means for constricting the timer conduit or pressure tube 42 thereby slowing down the fluid flow through the conduit 42 to the timer receptacle 36. The length of time the valve stays open will thereby be increased.

Although the invention has been described in its preferred forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred forms has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from. the spirit and the scope of the invention.

It is also noted that the principles of fluidics have developed to a point that no explanation or detailed description can be seen to be necessary with regard to certain operations, such as the attachment of a fluid stream to a first wall of a fluidic wall and the flipping over of the fluid stream to a second, opposite wall.

What is claimed is:

1. A liquid flow control mechanism comprising a movable valve having a pressurizable operator chamber; means for depressurizing said chamber to thereby open the valve; a fluidic switch, including a nozzle, having a first operating mode in which it pressurizes said chamber to thereby close the valve, and a second operating mode in which it delivers liquid through the valve without depressurizing said chamber; a discharge tube for the valve; and mechanism for flipping the switch from its second operating mode to its first operating mode; said flipping mechanism comprising means responsive to static pressure head in the discharge tube for building a liquid control column, an atmospheric switch-control passage arranged to be closed by the rising liquid column, and check valve means in the control passage continually operable to prevent fluid flow from the passage to atmosphere. 

1. A liquid flow control mechanism comprising a movable valve having a pressurizable operator chamber; means for depressurizing said chamber to thereby open the valve; a fluidic switch, including a nozzle, having a first operating mode in which it pressurizes said chamber to thereby close the valve, and a second operating mode in which it delivers liquid through the valve without depressurizing said chamber; a discharge tube for the valve; and mechanism for flipping the switch from its second operating mode to its first operating mode; said flipping mechanism comprising means responsive to static pressure head in the discharge tube for building a liquid control column, an atmospheric switch-control passage arranged to be closed by the rising liquid column, and check valve means in the control passage continually operable to prevent fluid flow from the passage to atmosphere. 